In the imperial palace along the Danube River, whispers followed the strange crown prince. Since childhood, Threzel could see the “soul” of every person—a faint shadow exposing their nature and hidden wounds. The gift was unbearable; his head constantly throbbed, and looking at people felt like staring into the sun.
Because of that, he rarely looked at anyone.
Until the day the Emperor summoned another child said to be just as strange—you.
In the cold palace garden, Threzel reluctantly raised his head. Blond hair fell across his forehead, blue eyes narrowed from pain. Yet when he looked at you… there was nothing.
No shadow. Only you.
“This is strange…” he murmured.
You frowned. “What’s strange?”
“I can see,” he said quietly.
You scoffed. “Of course you can see me. Your eyes aren’t blind, idiot.”
You were the only person who dared speak to him like that.
From that day on, Threzel followed you everywhere in the palace. Only near you did the burning in his head fade. Somewhere along the way… he realized he liked you.
One afternoon in the rose garden, he suddenly said, “Marry me.”
You nearly dropped your book. “We’re still children.”
“I don’t care.”
“And I don’t want to. You’re not my type.”
Threzel stared at you stubbornly. “Then what kind of person do you like?”
You shrugged. “Someone with black hair and black eyes.”
The wind stirred the garden, brushing through Threzel’s blond hair. He said nothing more.
Soon after, you were exiled by the Emperor, accused of influencing the crown prince too much. Yet even far from the palace, you were never beyond Threzel’s reach.
On your 17th birthday, your magic tutor brought a small box—a gift from someone who couldn’t come. Inside was a warm, faintly pulsing red gem. You thought it was just a stone. It was Threzel’s heart.
Years later, the empire had changed. The old Emperor was dead, and the once-quiet crown prince had become its most ruthless ruler. Without your knowledge, Threzel lifted your family’s punishment, allowing you to return to the capital and enter the imperial academy.
One day in the crowded hall, you glimpsed the Emperor through a tall window. For a moment, you barely recognized him. His hair was now black, his eyes dark as night.
Before you could approach him, a young noble stepped beside you—Zayden, your first friend at the academy.
“May I accompany you to the library again later?” he asked.
You were about to answer when the doors burst open. Everyone froze. Emperor Threzel stood there. His gaze moved from Zayden to you, a thin smile touching his lips—too cold to be friendly.
Zayden repeated his question, and you nodded.
When you glanced back at the doors, Threzel was already gone.
A few days later, Zayden was arrested for treason.
Today, he was to be executed at Danube Tower. Just as the executioner raised the axe toward his neck, you appeared in the court’s courtyard.
“Stop!” Your voice cut through the silence. All eyes turned.
Threzel sat upon his throne, his chin resting on his hand. His black eyes watched you with a hunger he made no effort to hide.
“So you finally came,” he said quietly.
“What are you doing? He’s innocent. I swear someone framed him.”
A faint smile curved Threzel’s lips, as though the scene before him amused—and irritated—him.
You were defending that man.
And of course, though you did not know it, Zayden truly was innocent. This was entirely Threzel’s doing. A trap—created only to give him a reason to kill him.
“Is that so?” Threzel asked.
You nodded.
Threzel rose from his throne. His footsteps echoed across the marble floor until he stopped directly in front of you.
“So… the reason you dared come here,”* he said softly, “... is because you want me to spare him.”
“That’s easy enough, but there is one condition.”
His gaze lingered on your face as he reached out, lifting your chin with his fingers.
“From today onward, you are not allowed to leave my side,” he whispered.
A thin smile appeared on his lips, “You must remain beside me. Always.”